19 Finest Podcast Suggestions for Launching and Rising Your Present

(This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. Learn my full disclosure.)

This recognition and relative low barrier of entry has fostered a brand new technology of podcasters through the years, and even companies need to podcast as a part of their branded content material technique. I’ve additionally been podcasting since 2013, and 10 years in have began to livestream all of my podcast recordings, each solo and interview. You’ll should learn to the underside of this submit to search out out my recommendation on this space.

Nonetheless, like another type of media or content material advertising and marketing initiative, you have to first construct a program and produce every episode earlier than you launch it. Moreover, it’s laborious work to make sure that the listener depend will increase with every episode, and that individuals stay fascinated about your podcast. In any other case, there isn’t a lot level in doing the laborious work mandatory to provide and promote an episode. For this reason so many individuals give up podcasting, with the favored saying within the podcasting world being that 80% of podcasts don’t publish greater than ten episodes earlier than quitting!

That’s why I’m hoping that these podcast suggestions, culled from my very own decade of podcasting, will aid you maximize the success of your individual present and hopefully preserve you invested in podcasting longer.

Rising recognition and attain of podcasts

Earlier than we get began with my listing of podcast suggestions, let’s think about why you would possibly wish to produce one. Maybe the largest purpose is that podcasts are extremely fashionable. Actually, 79% of People are conversant in podcasting, and 82 million have listened in 2022. To place this in context, 82 million folks is round 20% of our inhabitants, together with kids.

Podcasts are rising in recognition globally as properly. In 2021, there have been over 2 million lively podcasts and over 48 million podcast episodes obtainable. Maybe that is unsurprising when you think about that the tools required for listening is comparatively easy and cheap.

In the end, podcasts are a extremely accessible medium that may be consumed on the go or at residence. Whereas People don’t commute as a lot as they did pre-COVID, employees are slowly returning to the workplace. This could assist with podcast recognition much more as a result of these episodes are an effective way to cross the time.

Additionally, think about that podcasts will be simply shared and found by means of social media and different on-line platforms. Individuals like to share their experiences and nice finds on social media. Plus, in the event that they know any individual with related pursuits, it’s fairly straightforward for them to cross on fascinating info. Within the course of, podcast episodes might help you attain new audiences and construct a loyal following. After all, to raise your success, you need to observe some or all the podcast suggestions on this article.

Advantages of utilizing podcasts for content material creation and advertising and marketing

After all, there are lots of advantages to creating podcasts that transcend sharing concepts. Whereas concepts had been initially the first impetus for podcast creation, they’ve change into an extremely useful advertising and marketing instrument. Let’s take a look at a number of the explanation why that is true.

Elevated engagement

Podcasts are a extremely participating medium that may aid you join together with your viewers on a deeper degree. Particularly, podcasts with well-written scripts can simply seize and retain folks’s consideration. Furthermore, folks like to work together with compelling concepts and high quality content material. Ultimately, that is they’ll begin sharing your content material with their pals or household. Generally they’ll even cross extra skilled content material round to their colleagues. Both method, your organization wins.

Price-effective

Podcasting is a comparatively low-cost strategy to create content material and attain new audiences. That is very true when you think about {that a} comparatively primary microphone and free or low-cost audio modifying software program might help you shortly get your ideas out to most of the people. In different phrases, not like video, you don’t have very many transferring components for a podcast, nor do you must purchase costly and fancy tools. By following my podcast suggestions, you will get a good higher bang on your buck.

Elevated model consciousness

Podcasts might help you construct model consciousness and set up your self as an authority in your business. On this sense, they’re much like weblog posts. One purpose why podcasts work so properly is that long-form content material provides you time to clarify a subject completely. You may also set up your experience by interviewing different folks or utilizing any of a number of different podcast suggestions on this article.

Elevated site visitors

Podcasts can drive site visitors to your web site or different on-line platforms. Particularly, while you discuss your organization or your concepts on a Podcasting platform, folks steadily get curious. That curiosity steadily results in web site visits and, in lots of circumstances, new gross sales leads. Nonetheless, to do that efficiently, you’ll want well-done podcast episodes.

Elevated income

In addition to producing leads, podcasts will be monetized by means of sponsorships, promoting, or different means. Sponsorships and different influencer advertising and marketing strategies are highly regarded on podcasts, largely due to podcasters capability to clarify and talk about numerous subjects. Monetization alternatives are particularly important while you talk about subjects that are of curiosity to sure industries. Alternately, you’ll be able to revenue if sure services or products will be helpful to your podcast viewers.

Additional Studying: The Prime 25 Podcast Statistics You Must Know in 2023

19 Finest Podcast Suggestions for Launching and Rising Your Present

Now that you simply perceive why podcasts are such a robust instrument, let’s take a look at completely different podcast suggestions that may aid you take advantage of out of your present. The following tips will be related whether or not you’re beginning a branded podcast, sharing skilled experience, or simply having enjoyable.

I’ll do my greatest to listing these so as from launching to rising.

1. Conduct market analysis to know your audience’s wants and preferences

That is the golden rule of promoting: Perceive your viewers.

Earlier than you even begin planning your podcast episodes, one of the essential podcast suggestions is to know your viewers. To do that, you have to first determine your audience. For a enterprise, that is usually some variation of your purchaser persona. For a non-branded podcast, it’s extra a query of who could be fascinated about your chosen matter.

When you’ve chosen your audience, analysis their pursuits and preferences. That is comparatively straightforward for area of interest subjects and B2B manufacturers. Nonetheless, it’s a lot more durable in the event you’re making a extra generalized podcast. Starting by doing a search in your favourite podcast to search out out what reveals your goal could be listening to is an effective begin.

Lastly, use social media and on-line communities to collect insights and suggestions from potential listeners. This may assist verify or fine-tune your understanding of what is going to seize your viewers’s consideration.

Should you’ve been podcasting for awhile, look deep into your analytics and see if you’ll find tendencies in obtain numbers primarily based on completely different subjects or interview visitors.

2. Use brainstorming strategies resembling thoughts mapping or phrase affiliation to generate identify concepts on your podcast and episodes

One of many greatest podcast suggestions out there may be that you really want a catchy or intriguing title for not simply your title however for each episode that also contains your goal key phrases, and developing with one typically includes brainstorming. Begin with a broad listing of phrases associated to your podcast and its subjects or themes. Normally, you’ll wish to develop a major listing of key phrases.

One other tip is to make use of mind-mapping software program to prepare your concepts. This mechanically cuts by means of the noise and distills your smaller concepts or associated themes into greater ones. By consolidating concepts, you can also make it a lot simpler to select the proper one.

That is additionally the place AI instruments resembling Jasper can come in useful.

When you’ve run out of subjects, use phrase affiliation strategies to generate new concepts. By figuring out new concepts, you will get forward of your competitors extra simply. That’s as a result of the newer concepts are much less more likely to have been taken by different content material creators or at the least have much less competitors than the commonest themes.

Lastly, slender down your listing by contemplating your audience. Your present’s identify ought to enchantment to your audience to the best extent doable. That is true even contemplating the necessity to have the present match your character and branding concerns.

3. Use design instruments or templates to create eye-catching cowl artwork that displays your model id

Subsequent on my listing of podcast suggestions is making your present distinctive. The most effective methods to do that is with high-quality cowl artwork and graphics that mirror your model. Most significantly, select a shade scheme that displays your model id. Should you’re beginning the podcast to share your private experience, then choose a shade scheme that fits you in your theme. For a branded podcast, you’ll usually use firm colours.

With the colours in thoughts, use high-quality pictures and graphics. Branded podcasts ought to all the time have firm or model logos. And for particular person podcasts, as soon as once more, choose one thing that’s constant together with your theme and character.

If it’s essential make graphics from scratch or tweak model property, use design templates in fashionable graphics apps resembling Adobe Categorical (proven within the video above) or Canva for inspiration. These templates had been designed to assist folks make nice graphics, often with minimal effort. Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter what you select, preserve it easy and straightforward to learn. In any other case, it’s possible you’ll make folks go elsewhere earlier than you’ve even began.

Lastly, evaluate your cowl artwork to the podcasts in your area of interest. Does it stand out? Is it interesting? Relative? Should you’re feeling good about your work up to now, you’ll be able to transfer on to the subsequent stage:

4. Select a dependable internet hosting platform

Even podcasts want a internet hosting platform, and one among my greatest suggestions right here is to select one thing that works properly for you and your viewers. To make that call, first, think about the price and options of various internet hosting platforms. The worst factor you are able to do is pay an excessive amount of for too few options. Likewise, you don’t wish to break the financial institution on stuff you don’t want.

Particularly while you’re beginning out, search for a platform that provides dependable uptime and quick load occasions. In any other case, you danger having folks surrender on that all-important obtain or streaming session. There are few issues that restrict your alternatives as a lot as a poor person expertise. To that finish, you must also guarantee that the platform is straightforward to make use of, each for you/your staff, and your finish customers.

Lastly, verify if the platform gives analytics and monitoring instruments. These capabilities allow you to observe your viewers and enhance the present to maximise efficiency. And if you’re growing this for a corporation, there’s an opportunity that the platform’s analytics will be built-in into different advertising and marketing instruments. Relying in your setup, that could possibly be a serious bonus.

I take advantage of and love Buzzsprout myself and would extremely suggest them.

5. Get the proper tools

No listing of podcast suggestions could be full with out speaking about tools. Though you don’t should spend some huge cash to get good high quality gear, you don’t wish to produce a podcast with insufficient tools.

These are my suggestions for fulfillment:

• Spend money on a good-quality microphone. Search for one thing that’s designed for recording sound. Should you want concepts, take a look at the quite a few tools evaluate web sites or ask for suggestions. Don’t over-invest right here: As a newbie you shouldn’t be paying greater than $100 for a microphone, and as your present grows be happy to splurge! After 10 years I’m lastly upgrading to the $250+ Shure MV7 pictured above.
• Think about using a pop filter to scale back background noise. Individuals love clear audio for his or her podcasts. Plus, many individuals hearken to podcasts in noisy environments, so that you don’t wish to add much more noise.
• Use headphones to observe your audio. Whereas this step could appear pointless, it’s one of many few methods you’ll be able to keep away from speaking to a brick wall in case your mic or laptop quits recording. It additionally makes you concentrate on how your audio sounds so that you simply guarantee you’re the correct distance from the microphone when you discuss. I personally skip this step after a few years of podcasting, however if you’re new or haven’t achieved it not too long ago, it’s an important concept that may aid you probably enhance your audio high quality.
• Use a growth arm in order that your microphone will be flexibly positioned in any location close to your mouth. Plus the growth arm will assist assist enhance audio high quality by minimizing shock noise in addition to clear up more room in your desk.

Additional Studying: The 27 Main Podcasting Instruments to Assist You Launch or Develop Your Podcast

6. Develop a constant episode format that features segments resembling an intro, major content material, and outro

Consistency is essential, because it’s a part of your present’s branding. To do that, begin with an attention-grabbing intro. Individuals will know from the intro that they’re listening to your podcast and never another person’s in the event you do one thing distinctive.

Subsequent, use a constant format for every episode. Listeners wish to know what they’ll anticipate from episodes, and as you ship, they’ll preserve coming. As a part of your format, embody segments resembling interviews, information updates, or listener suggestions. This offers your viewers some selection whereas remaining constant.

Lastly, finish with a transparent name to motion. This may be one thing easy, like “see you subsequent week,” or a extra demanding CTA, like “take a look at my web site.” For this one, you’ll be able to all the time make it completely different when the state of affairs warrants.

7. Use an editorial calendar or content material planning instrument to map out your episode subjects and launch schedule

Some of the essential podcast suggestions is to plan your episodes upfront. This lets you do your analysis, write your script, and invite any visitors. You must by no means be in a state of affairs the place it’s essential press the file button however you don’t know what to speak about or who to interview.

To make this simpler, use an editorial calendar to prepare your subjects and visitors. For business podcasts, think about including the podcast schedule to your total advertising and marketing calendar so that everybody’s on the identical web page.

Matter-wise, think about seasonal or vacation themes on your episodes. Individuals like to really feel that they’re celebrating holidays with you. The suitable holidays could fluctuate primarily based in your audience, so watch the analytics for these episodes rigorously. Lastly, launch new episodes on a constant schedule. While you do that, folks will look ahead to the subsequent episode and pay attention extra typically.

8. Spend money on making a podcast web site

The subsequent level goes to speak about submitting your podcast to podcast directories, however earlier than doing that, you’ll wish to be sure to have a web site to level your listeners to. Higher not, as an alternative of making an attempt to create a podcast web site by yourself, why don’t you simply use an easy-to-use resolution such because the one I take advantage of pictured above – my advice is to make use of PodcastPage like I do. That web site was setup in lower than an hour with no net coding required! You need to use your podcast web site as your major web site or to create a subdomain like I’ve in https://podcast.nealschaffer.com.

Additional Studying: A Full Information to Making a Nice Podcast Web site

9. Analysis fashionable podcast directories in your area of interest or goal market and submit your podcast for inclusion

Irrespective of your area of interest, an effective way to get extra podcast suggestions is by wanting on the competitors. It could possibly be that you’ve got just a few that you simply’re following already or that you simply hearken to. However on the identical time, you need to search for different concepts. A simple method to do that is determine and use fashionable podcast directories resembling Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Key phrases ought to return a number of podcasts in your area of interest, or that enchantment to the identical folks.

When you’ve labored by means of the mainstream boards, analysis area of interest directories associated to your matter or business and see what they’ve. This could allow you to determine extra alternatives for progress. It may additionally aid you finalize your present identify, resembling if the one you picked initially is simply too shut to a different one.

After you’ve checked out your choices, submit your podcast to directories for inclusion. I can’t fairly say the extra locations, the higher since you need the alternatives to make sense. Nonetheless, selecting multiple will considerably improve your alternatives for viewers progress. Lastly, monitor your listing listings for critiques and suggestions. With that info, you’ll be able to enhance your present.

The picture above is from Buzzsprout, which makes it straightforward so that you can submit your podcast to varied directories inside its app.

10. Optimize the descriptions for every of your episodes by together with detailed present notes, key phrases, tags, and different related info

You must all the time embody detailed present notes with every episode. These notes assist folks resolve in the event that they wish to hearken to your episode, and you’ll display the present’s value their useful time. To assist your reveals get found, use related key phrases and tags in your present notes and episode titles.

Additionally, embody hyperlinks to sources talked about in every episode. Not solely is that this a listener comfort, however it additionally helps construct your credibility as an SME. Lastly, encourage listeners to depart critiques and rankings on listing listings. Not solely do critiques aid you enhance your present, however in addition they assist appeal to listeners.

I discussed using AI earlier than, however one AI instrument particularly for podcasting that I’ve fallen in love with and pictured above is Podsqueeze, which is usually a critical time-saver and aid you craft higher present notes.

11. Promote your podcast on social media

Even the very best podcasts want promotion to develop. These podcast suggestions will aid you accomplish that job effectively.

Many creators overlook one of the essential podcast suggestions for viewers enlargement: social media is king. Should you wouldn’t overlook to market your small business on social media, you shouldn’t overlook together with your podcast, both.

To get began, select social media platforms that align together with your audience. For instance, when you’ve got a really younger viewers, then TikTok and Snapchat are good concepts. Enterprise-related podcasts belong on LinkedIn and possibly different boards. Decide the platforms the place your audience hangs out.

Subsequent, share new episodes in your social media channels. Doing this lets folks affiliate you together with your content material. Moreover, it makes sharing your content material a lot simpler, each on social media and different strategies. Bear in mind to encourage listeners to share your podcast on social media, whether or not utilizing your promotional posts or their very own.

Subsequent, it’s essential make your podcast extra seen. A technique is to make use of hashtags associated to your matter or business. Should you don’t have a great hashtag assortment (and even in the event you do), key phrase analysis will be very helpful. Additionally, analytics will aid you discover key phrase alternatives when used correctly.

Engagement is a two-way road, so don’t overlook to have interaction together with your viewers. You must reply to feedback and messages and work together with critiques as acceptable. As your podcast grows, you may also wish to arrange a Fb Group for the present.

Lastly you should definitely use a mixture of content material varieties, resembling pictures, movies, and textual content posts. You could possibly additionally attempt to use audio sound bites, like those that Buzzsprout makes it tremendous straightforward to create as within the image above, to advertise your podcast on social media.

Additional Studying: 9 Steps to Construct an Efficient Social Media Technique for 2023

12. Use podcast promoting to succeed in new audiences and drive site visitors to your podcast

In addition to your natural efforts, think about using paid promoting to succeed in new audiences. A number of the lesser identified podcasting apps resembling Overcast (pictured above) supply a strategy to promote that’s higher than social media adverts as a result of folks can instantly subscribe to your podcast from the advert. The opposite podcasting app which gives adverts that you need to strive is Podcast Addict.

13. Collaborate with different podcasters to cross-promote and develop your viewers

Lastly, collaborate with different creators in your area of interest. Not solely can this be a variety of enjoyable, however it lets each of you share concepts with one another’s audiences. As an illustration, in advertising and marketing, you may need somebody within the influencer advertising and marketing house collaborate with a Fb adverts specialist. A visitor look on every podcast lets folks see what each of you must supply. That is generally often known as a podcast swap.

As you collaborate, cross-promote one another’s podcasts on social media. You are able to do this in a number of methods, resembling by posting hyperlinks and bulletins to that episode or by speaking concerning the collaboration. Both method, this system is amongst my high podcast suggestions because it helps each reveals develop.

Additional Studying: The 11 Finest Digital and Social Media Advertising and marketing Podcasts to Take heed to in 2023

14. Monitor your analytics

Use analytics instruments resembling Google Analytics (now referred to as Google Advertising and marketing Platform) or Chartable to trace downloads and engagement. These numbers aid you see how properly your present is performing total, so you’ll be able to shift methods and enhance obtain numbers. You can also make modifications to your subjects, social media content material, and advert methods. Analytics info is invaluable to not solely enhance the present but in addition regulate your promotional methods.

Additionally, monitor critiques and rankings on podcast directories. This can’t solely present you when one thing you probably did on the present was fashionable but in addition lets you put out fires earlier than they destroy your listener numbers. Additionally, you by no means know when wanting by means of critiques provides you with concepts (or determine what your viewers needs).

15. Leverage e-mail advertising and marketing

Most individuals consider e-mail advertising and marketing because the area of e-commerce manufacturers and different conventional companies. Nonetheless, that is one among my well-kept podcast suggestions. Electronic mail advertising and marketing retains you and your podcast top-of-mind on your loyal listeners and encourages them to share it with others.

Right here’s tips on how to do it.

First, use e-mail advertising and marketing instruments just like the one I take advantage of, ConvertKit, to construct an e-mail listing of subscribers. You may collect these emails by means of opt-in varieties in your web site or by utilizing different instruments, like perks for signing up, that permit folks add their emails independently.

Subsequent, ship common newsletters with updates about new episodes or particular promotions. This manner, you’ll present worth to your e-mail subscribers. Ideally, these newsletters must be frequent sufficient to get seen however not be despatched so typically that you simply’ll annoy your readers.

As a part of your e-newsletter, embody hyperlinks to sources talked about in every episode. Should you don’t point out sources, then give you one thing else, like a hyperlink to your web site.

16. Provide unique content material

If you wish to monetize your present (and you need to, if it isn’t a advertising and marketing instrument), then listed below are some podcast suggestions to assist.

In addition to sponsorships, among the best methods to earn a living is thru subscriptions. To make this worthwhile, you need to create bonus episodes or content material for subscribers. You are able to do this in any of a number of methods, resembling going extra in-depth right into a theme mentioned in an open episode or masking one thing completely different. A technique to decide on a subject is to ask folks on social media what they wish to find out about.

Equally, you’ll be able to supply early entry to new episodes or behind-the-scenes content material. This could be much less work than devoted present episodes, which is particularly helpful to start with. Lastly, use a membership platform resembling Patreon to supply unique content material. Platforms are helpful as a result of they deal with the billing for you, so you’ll be able to spend time creating.

17. Collaborate with listeners

One factor that individuals love, each in podcasts and different media, is collaborations. On this case, they love working with their favourite creators. Not solely does this assist share concepts inside the neighborhood, however it additionally helps folks see you as a content material creator who cares about their opinions.

There are a number of methods you’ll be able to strive listener collaboration:

• Encourage listeners to submit questions or subjects for dialogue. They need to do that by means of your web site or an e-mail handle that’s devoted to the present.
• Use listener suggestions to form future episodes. You may get suggestions by watching your podcast critiques and different public boards. Or, you’ll be able to ask folks what they suppose.
• Provide listener shoutouts or different rewards for engagement. Individuals love shoutouts, and rewards will be fairly enjoyable. This has the twin objective of rewarding your lively listeners and growing your engagement charge.

Remember that there are lots of methods to collaborate with listeners. Social media is without doubt one of the most precious locations to search out and solicit suggestions, so don’t be afraid to ask questions of your neighborhood. Doing this may even provide you with extra engagement on social media, which is nice for his or her algorithms.

18. Leverage Video

Should you’ve learn till now, I’m assuming that you’re properly into your podcasting journey identical to me and have tried the whole lot that I’ve talked about till mine.

What extra are you able to do, you might be asking your self.

I used to be identical to you. Till at some point I made a decision to file a video of myself recording a podcast episode, which I assumed I may repurpose at a later date.

As I used to be making ready for the recording on Zoom, I noticed that I may simply livestream the episode on YouTube.

The remaining is historical past.

If the entire intent of your podcasting is to share info, why are you limiting your info to those that hearken to your podcast?

Should you solely get 50 downloads an episode however can get 50 extra views on your podcast content material, haven’t your doubled your complete viewers?

That was my epiphany second that i clarify within the Livestreaming Modifications Every part episode above.

For extra tips about how podcasters can higher leverage YouTube, take a look at my interview with Vyyyper from VidIQ:

19. Host reside occasions

The final of my podcast suggestions is to carry reside occasions. Admittedly, that is tougher to do than lots of my different strategies. Nonetheless, for the proper podcaster (or a inventive one), reside occasions are an important alternative.

One strategy to have a reside occasion is to carry a Q&A session with listeners. In a digital world, you would have folks name in as they do on the radio. You may also use Zoom or one other video-compatible platform to make a video format that’s additionally performed on Fb Reside or the same platform.

Another choice is to leverage conferences or occasions. As an illustration, you’ll be able to host a reside recording of the podcast. This offers listeners a possibility to look behind the scenes of their favourite present. Equally, a meet-and-greet enables you to make nice movies and meet your listeners. Particularly in case your podcast is closely tied to your character, this selection will be pure gold.

Better of all, when folks meet you personally, it might probably enhance their loyalty or familiarity together with your model.

Conclusion

Recording and distributing a podcast whereas persevering with to develop your present and attain extra folks is a variety of work, to not point out that there’s a variety of competitors in most niches. Fortunately, there are many choices to extend your probabilities of success. By following these podcast suggestions, you’ll be able to profit from your efforts. And, belief me, deal with podcasting like another advertising and marketing effort: It’s a marathon, and never a dash, however the folks you meet alongside the way in which and experiences you might have can be rewarding sufficient to maintain you or your small business in lots of unintended methods!

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